Tom Brady just can’t stay away from the game. On Monday, Sept. 15, the seven-time Super Bowl champion announced he’s officially coming out of retirement for a third time. But this isn’t a full NFL comeback, it’s for something fresh, global, and a little bit wild: the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, set for March 21, 2026, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during Riyadh Season.
This event is being billed as a global sports showcase blending NFL legends, current superstars, and top-tier athletes from around the world. Brady, Fanatics, Fox Sports, and OBB Media are teaming up to deliver what could be the most high-profile flag football event ever staged.
© Getty ImagesA New Era for Flag Football
The tournament format is straight from the Olympic playbook. Games will be played on a 50-yard field with two 10-yard end zones, 5-on-5 squads, and two 20-minute halves. Three teams of eight players will face off in a round-robin setup, with the top two advancing to a championship match.
This structure mirrors the version of flag football that’s officially being added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With Brady involved, the Fanatics Classic becomes both a test run and a global advertisement for the sport’s future.
The Star-Studded Lineup
Brady won’t be alone in the spotlight. The confirmed roster reads like an NFL Pro Bowl on steroids. Among those suiting up are Rob Gronkowski, Odell Beckham Jr., Tyreek Hill, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett, Brock Bowers, and Maxx Crosby.
That’s firepower on both sides of the ball, with speedsters like Hill and Lamb, bruisers like Barkley and McCaffrey, and defensive nightmares like Garrett and Gardner.
© TIMOTHY A. CLARYAnd the sidelines will be stacked, too. Coaches Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan are set to lead the squads, while Kevin Hart will host the broadcast with his signature comedic flair. The entire event will air live on FOX Sports and stream on Tubi, making it accessible to fans everywhere.
Brady’s Return and Motivation
For Brady, this marks his first official return to the field since retiring (again) in 2023. His press statement made it clear, “I couldn’t be more excited to return to the field, get the competitive juices flowing alongside some of the game’s brightest stars and iconic legends, and bring a truly unique global sports event to fans everywhere during Riyadh Season,” Brady said.
He also highlighted what makes flag football special: “I’ve always admired the power of flag football and how it connects fans of all ages. It’s awesome to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage.” And because he’s Brady, he couldn’t resist a little competitive swagger: “I will be bringing home the trophy.”
© Mike EhrmannFlag football is exploding worldwide, partly thanks to its Olympic debut, its accessibility for younger players, and its potential to bring American football to new audiences. By hosting the event in Riyadh, organizers are signaling that this isn’t just for U.S. fans.
Brady’s involvement adds instant credibility. When the greatest quarterback of all time laces up again, even in a flag format, people watch. And with heavy-hitters like Fanatics and FOX Sports behind it, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic is set up to be a new annual spectacle.
© GettyBrady’s NFL journey began in 2000 when the Patriots took him in the sixth round. Twenty-three years, seven rings, and two retirements later, he’s still shaping the future of football. Only now, instead of dominating the gridiron in pads, he’s helping push flag football onto the global stage.
On March 21, 2026, all eyes will be on Riyadh. And once again, Tom Brady will be right in the middle of it.
